Abstract
Statins reduce cardiovascular mortality and morbidity as well as cardiovascular events in patients with a very high risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD) and also in subjects with high or moderate risk by reducing the levels of low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C). Although they are considered to be drugs with a very good safety profile, because of their wide use there are many concerns that their adverse effects might compromise their proven beneficial effects. Therefore this article reviews all the data and provides an evidence- based insight what are the proven adverse effects of statins and what are the “myths” about them. The most important side effects include myopathy and rhabdomyolysis. Another side effect is increased activity of liver tests which occurs occasionally and is reversible. However, recent studies even suggest that statin therapy can improve hepatic steatosis. It is beyond any doubt that statins do slightly increase the incidence of type 2 diabetes mellitus in people with two or more components of metabolic syndrome but the cardiovascular benefits of such a treatment by far exceed this risk. Statin therapy has also been associated with some adverse renal effects, eg. acute renal failure, but recent data suggest even a possible protective effect of these drugs on renal dysfunction. Concerns that statins might increase cancer have not been proven. On the contrary, several studies have indicated a possible benefit of these drugs in patients with different types of cancer. Early concerns about cognitive dysfunction and memory loss associated with statins use could not be proven and most recent data even suggest a possible beneficial effect of statins in the prevention of dementia. Systematic reviews and clinical guidelines suggest that the cardiovascular benefits of statins by far out-weight non-cardiovascular harms in patients with cardiovascular risk.
Keywords: Statins, adverse effects, myopathy, liver disease, diabetes, cancer, dementia, cognitive function.
Current Pharmaceutical Design
Title:Adverse Effects of Statins - Myths and Reality
Volume: 21 Issue: 9
Author(s): Iveta Simic and Zeljko Reiner
Affiliation:
Keywords: Statins, adverse effects, myopathy, liver disease, diabetes, cancer, dementia, cognitive function.
Abstract: Statins reduce cardiovascular mortality and morbidity as well as cardiovascular events in patients with a very high risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD) and also in subjects with high or moderate risk by reducing the levels of low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C). Although they are considered to be drugs with a very good safety profile, because of their wide use there are many concerns that their adverse effects might compromise their proven beneficial effects. Therefore this article reviews all the data and provides an evidence- based insight what are the proven adverse effects of statins and what are the “myths” about them. The most important side effects include myopathy and rhabdomyolysis. Another side effect is increased activity of liver tests which occurs occasionally and is reversible. However, recent studies even suggest that statin therapy can improve hepatic steatosis. It is beyond any doubt that statins do slightly increase the incidence of type 2 diabetes mellitus in people with two or more components of metabolic syndrome but the cardiovascular benefits of such a treatment by far exceed this risk. Statin therapy has also been associated with some adverse renal effects, eg. acute renal failure, but recent data suggest even a possible protective effect of these drugs on renal dysfunction. Concerns that statins might increase cancer have not been proven. On the contrary, several studies have indicated a possible benefit of these drugs in patients with different types of cancer. Early concerns about cognitive dysfunction and memory loss associated with statins use could not be proven and most recent data even suggest a possible beneficial effect of statins in the prevention of dementia. Systematic reviews and clinical guidelines suggest that the cardiovascular benefits of statins by far out-weight non-cardiovascular harms in patients with cardiovascular risk.
Export Options
About this article
Cite this article as:
Simic Iveta and Reiner Zeljko, Adverse Effects of Statins - Myths and Reality, Current Pharmaceutical Design 2015; 21 (9) . https://dx.doi.org/10.2174/1381612820666141013134447
DOI https://dx.doi.org/10.2174/1381612820666141013134447 |
Print ISSN 1381-6128 |
Publisher Name Bentham Science Publisher |
Online ISSN 1873-4286 |
Call for Papers in Thematic Issues
"Tuberculosis Prevention, Diagnosis and Drug Discovery"
The Nobel Prize-winning discoveries of Mycobacterium tuberculosis and streptomycin have enabled an appropriate diagnosis and an effective treatment of tuberculosis (TB). Since then, many newer diagnosis methods and drugs have been saving millions of lives. Despite advances in the past, TB is still a leading cause of infectious disease mortality ...read more
Current Pharmaceutical challenges in the treatment and diagnosis of neurological dysfunctions
Neurological dysfunctions (MND, ALS, MS, PD, AD, HD, ALS, Autism, OCD etc..) present significant challenges in both diagnosis and treatment, often necessitating innovative approaches and therapeutic interventions. This thematic issue aims to explore the current pharmaceutical landscape surrounding neurological disorders, shedding light on the challenges faced by researchers, clinicians, and ...read more
Emerging and re-emerging diseases
Faced with a possible endemic situation of COVID-19, the world has experienced two important phenomena, the emergence of new infectious diseases and/or the resurgence of previously eradicated infectious diseases. Furthermore, the geographic distribution of such diseases has also undergone changes. This context, in turn, may have a strong relationship with ...read more
Melanoma and Non-Melanoma Skin Cancer Treatment: Standard of Care and Recent Advances
In this thematic issue, we aim to provide a standard of care of the diagnosis and treatment of melanoma and non-melanoma skin cancer. The editor will invite authors from different countries who will write review articles of melanoma and non-melanoma skin cancers. The Diagnosis, Staging, Surgical Treatment, Non-Surgical Treatment all ...read more
- Author Guidelines
- Graphical Abstracts
- Fabricating and Stating False Information
- Research Misconduct
- Post Publication Discussions and Corrections
- Publishing Ethics and Rectitude
- Increase Visibility of Your Article
- Archiving Policies
- Peer Review Workflow
- Order Your Article Before Print
- Promote Your Article
- Manuscript Transfer Facility
- Editorial Policies
- Allegations from Whistleblowers
- Announcements
Related Articles
-
Production of Fibrinolytic Protease from a Halobacterium <i>Bacillus licheniformis</i> VITLMS Isolated from Marine Sponges of Rameshwaram Coast, India
Current Bioactive Compounds Development of Nitric Oxide Donors for the Treatment of Cardiovascular Diseases
Cardiovascular & Hematological Agents in Medicinal Chemistry Wharton's Jelly Mesenchymal Stem Cell Response on Chitosan-graft-poly (ε-caprolactone) Copolymer for Myocardium Tissue Engineering
Current Pharmaceutical Design Mannose Binding Lectin: A Potential Biomarker for Many Human Diseases
Current Medicinal Chemistry Virus-Associated Vasculitides: An Update
Current Immunology Reviews (Discontinued) Impact of Metformin on Male Reproduction
Current Pharmaceutical Design Erythropoietin in Heart Failure and Other Cardiovascular Diseases: Hematopoietic and Pleiotropic Effects
Current Drug Targets - Cardiovascular & Hematological Disorders Screening, Evaluation, and Early Management of Acute Aortic Dissection in the ED
Current Cardiology Reviews Stabilization of Neutral NH2-R-COOH Form of the Antihypertensive Peptides L-Valyl-L-Prolyl-L-Proline and L-Isoleucyl-L-Prolyl-L-Proline
Protein & Peptide Letters Beta-arrestin Biased Agonism/Antagonism at Cardiovascular Seven Transmembrane-spanning Receptors
Current Pharmaceutical Design The Polymorphism at the microRNA-155 Binding Site in the AGTR1 Gene is not Significantly Associated with Rheumatic Heart Disease in Saudi Arabia Population
MicroRNA G-Protein Coupled Receptors (GPCRs): A Comprehensive Computational Perspective
Combinatorial Chemistry & High Throughput Screening Insulin Resistance as a Proinflammatory State: Mechanisms, Mediators, and Therapeutic Interventions
Current Drug Targets Medical Management of Parkinsons Disease: Focus on Neuroprotection
Current Neuropharmacology Acute Coronary Syndromes: A Role of Immune System
Anti-Inflammatory & Anti-Allergy Agents in Medicinal Chemistry Association Between Chlamydia pneumoniae Antibodies and Lung Cancer: A Meta-Analysis
Current Respiratory Medicine Reviews Coumarin-1,2,3-triazole Hybrid Molecules: An Emerging Scaffold for Combating Drug Resistance
Current Topics in Medicinal Chemistry Current Therapeutic Approaches in Inflammatory Bowel Disease
Current Pharmaceutical Design Role of Pharmacotherapy in Cardiac Ion Channelopathies
Current Vascular Pharmacology Pharmacological, Immunological, and Gene Targeting of the Renin-Angiotensin System for Treatment of Cardiovascular Disease
Current Pharmaceutical Design